In almost half cases the reason of attacks is unknown because of lack of premise for noticeable or presumable basic brain illness. The reasons are very varied, both congenital and acquired and, in very rare cases, genetic. The main acquired factors causing epilepsy attacks there are: incorrect course of pregnancy and delivery, the head injury, diseases of cerebral vessels, poisonings, diseases of metabolism and strokes. The great group makes spontaneous epilepsies with unfixed unambiguously reasons. The group of 400 thousand people suffering from epilepsy in Poland has got specially limited possibilities to learn, to obtain a profession, to obtain an employment and to preservation the employment. Still in the society there are myths and superstitions coming from the Middle Ages regarding people suffering from epilepsy. The employment and school are for people suffering from epilepsy a base of rehabilitation. This is not only humane but also economic problem because the people suffering from epilepsy, when they are employed they may good serve for the national economy with their knowledge and qualifications. At the present time the people suffering from epilepsy are shoved away, isolated and discriminated in all spheres of the public life. They are deprived of professional and social promotions and of participation in the political life. Since 1985 the Association demands regulation of the status of the person suffering from epilepsy in Poland. Unfortunately the ministers have been indifferent to this problem important socially and politically.

MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS

The complete medical examination stating the epilepsy consists of an accurate interview regarding the prior and present disease history and a very detailed description of attack symptoms. During collecting the medical interview the doctor should obtain following information:

- general information:

course of pregnancy and delivery

psychomotor development

past diseases

family interview

- information regarding attacks:

time and circumstances of appearing and duration

from what symptoms the attack begins

was the patient conscious during the attack

what symptoms accompanied the attack

symptoms after attack

It should be conduct the exact diagnosis after appearance of the attack in all patients. The aim is to establish the kind of epilepsy, the eventual brain illness and to establish the reason of attacks.

The most made examinations are:

neurological examination

laboratory blood examination

examination EEG

neuroradiological examination (computer tomography of head and magnetic resonance)